Health Tips

Have you ever heard of something known as sleep apnea? Perhaps you even suffer from this dreadful problem yourself. If you do, then you are already aware of how difficult and frustrating of an issue it can be. While completely removing sleep apnea is difficult, this article can get you started on living with it.

One way to improve your sleep apnea is to shed excess weight that you are carrying. Being overweight or obese places pressure on your neck, which can compress your windpipe as you sleep. Losing just 25 pounds can make a difference in your symptoms, and losing enough weight can eliminate the disorder altogether.

Do you smoke or drink? Try to rid yourself of these horrible habits. Your airways are significantly affected by smoking and drinking. Smoking can actually swell your airways while alcohol can overly relax them; each causes sleep apnea. If losing these habits is not possible, then at least limit yourself before going to bed.

Improve your sleep apnea by slimming down a bit. Recent research showed dramatic improvements in overweight men who shed 25 pounds over a period of one year to reduce sleep apnea symptoms. In some cases, the weight loss resulted in a cure of sleep apnea where no further treatment of the condition was necessary.

Adjust your CPAP machine. Most machines come with default settings that might not correspond to your needs. You should be able to regulate the airflow: try different settings and choose one that seems to work for you. If you feel like your machine is not working like it should, try changing the settings again.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP, work hard to get in the habit of using it every time you sleep. While it can be a struggle to get used to sleeping with a mask on your face, your health and your life depend on it. Work with your sleep center to get everything adjusted just right so that you can use CPAP therapy with a minimal amount of discomfort.

If you are concerned your snoring may be sleep apnea, try keeping a sleep diary. You would keep a record of the hours you sleep, how many times you wake at night, and whether you feel refreshed the next day. Also, if you have a bedmate, ask them if your snoring is loud and frequent and if you exhibit any gasping or choking sounds.

You will find it easier to go to sleep and remain asleep if you follow a schedule. Go to bed at the same time, follow a bedtime routine if it helps you relax and get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Create the ideal environment for you to sleep in.

By reducing the likelihood of an apnea breakout, you are ensuring a good night’s sleep. This is something that is essential for everyone and impacts many aspects of daily life. This article offered some great tips on what to do when you are experiencing this frustrating ailment, and how to move forward in your own life.